Edema is swelling or puffiness of parts of the body.
Edema usually happens in the feet, ankles, and legs. It also can affect the face and hands.
Physical Therapy can play a key role in treating edema.
First, our Physical Therapist will seek to uncover the root cause of the edema or effusion.
This diagnosis will help the therapist focus the exercise routine in a way that will help decrease the excess fluid in the area.
Two great ways to reduce excess fluid in a body part is via muscle contraction and movement.
Unless the diagnosis requires immobility, controlled motion can “force” or “pump” the fluid out of the injured area.
The muscles in the injured area contract to move the joints and the fluid is moved towards the internal organs.
The vessels have “one way” valves that open towards the organs and the muscle contraction “pumps” the fluid in that direction.
Our Physical Therapist will design a treatment program to help control the swelling to meet treatment goals for returning to daily activities.
